The Sharks’ preseason begins with a visit from a longtime in-state rival, the Anaheim Ducks. Last year, the Sharks won the season series, going 3-0-1 over the Ducks, but the games were close: three of the four games went to a shootout.
This will be the first game of the preseason for both teams, so rosters may be a little unpredictable.
Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves are still recuperating from injuries and not participating in full contact at the Ducks’ camp, so the Sharks likely don’t have to worry about them yet.
However, the Sharks should be wary of some of the Ducks’ new faces.
At the 2018 Rookie Faceoff in Las Vegas, the young Ducks were undefeated. Max Comtois, the Ducks’ 2017 second round pick, led in points (4 goals, 3 assists); Kyle Olson, who the Ducks selected in the fourth round in 2017, notched a hat trick in the final game of the tournament; and their 2018 first-rounder, Isac Lundestrom, scored 3 goals and added an assist.
Other notables at Ducks training camp include defenders Luke Schenn and Andrej Sustr, who both signed one-year contracts with Anaheim. Schenn had 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 64 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season. Sustr skated for the Tampa Bay Lightning last season and tallied 7 points as well (2 goals, 5 assists).
There will be radio coverage on the Sharks’ website by Dan Rusanowsky, but other listening and viewing options seem to be limited.
Tonight’s Ducks-Sharks exhibition affair will be on @ESPNLosAngeles (710). Viewing options aren’t great. Understanding is #SJSharks may stream on website but possibly not available outside the region.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) September 18, 2018
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